Causes of snoring

Snoring is the noisy sound made when air flows past relaxed tissues in the throat and makes them vibrate. It is very common, and it ranges from a harmless nuisance to a sign of a sleep disorder.

Why the throat tissues vibrate During sleep, the muscles of the tongue, soft palate and throat relax and the airway narrows. The narrower the airway, the faster the airflow and the louder the vibration.

Common causes

• Being overweight: extra tissue around the neck and throat narrows the airway.
• Sleeping on the back: gravity pulls the tongue and soft palate backward.
• Alcohol and sedatives: they relax the throat muscles more than usual.
• Nasal blockage: colds, allergies, a deviated septum or nasal polyps force mouth breathing.
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids: a common cause in children.
• Anatomy: a long soft palate or uvula, a small jaw or a thick neck.
• Age: throat muscle tone reduces with age.
• Smoking: irritates and swells the airway lining.
• Pregnancy and hormonal changes: nasal swelling and weight gain can cause snoring.
• Sleep apnea: loud snoring with pauses in breathing is a medical condition that needs assessment.

Risk factors Male sex, family history, menopause, hypothyroidism and certain medicines.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive) Ayurveda links snoring with increased Kapha blocking the airway and with Vata disturbing the movement of breath. This is a traditional framework and not a medical diagnosis.

When to see a doctor See a doctor if snoring is loud and frequent, with choking or gasping, pauses in breathing noticed by a partner, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches or high blood pressure. Children who snore regularly should be assessed. Call 112 for chest pain or severe breathlessness.

Remember Occasional snoring is common. Loud, nightly snoring with sleepiness needs a medical check.